By Mark Doyle

The Colombia international is scheduled to return to Villarreal this summer but he is taking CEO Adriano Galliani's recent praise of his performances as a promising sign

AC Milan's on-loan defender Cristian Zapata has admitted that he is desperately hoping he will still be at San Siro next season.

The versatile centre-half joined the Rossoneri from parent club Villarreal last summer but he is scheduled to return to the Madrigal at the end of the current campaign.

However, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani recently expressed his satisfaction with Zapata's performances this season and the man himself is taking those comments as a sign that the Diavolo are now considering making his move permanent.